Learn how to make a beautiful bed in six simple steps, with easy layers and a pillow arrangement you can recreate at home.
For years I admired beautifully styled beds but felt overwhelmed by all the layers and pillows. Our bed had a duvet and two matching shams, and I wasn't sure what to add or how to put it all together.
When I started our primary bedroom makeover, I finally looked into the right bedding for a bed. Once I found a simple bedding formula, everything clicked! A lightweight quilt, a folded duvet and a few thoughtfully arranged pillows made our bed feel cozy and put together. Knowing exactly where everything goes also gave me the motivation to make it every morning.
Here's the six-step formula I use, with tips for adjusting the layers to your comfort and the season.
Note about my bedroom decorating journey: Throughout this post you'll see my bed at different stages of our bedroom makeover, which has been years in the making. (The Davenport Tan walls are the most current version.) But you'll see how the bedding formula still works at every stage of the decorating process. I haven't had to repurchase any of the foundational pieces since I nailed down the formula, which is a relief for my wallet and my schedule!
The Formula for Making a Beautiful Bed Like a Pro
This is the simplest way I've found to make a beautiful bed! I hope this formula helps you do it without going overboard on unnecessary layers or throw pillows!
Step 1: Smooth the Fitted Sheet and Add the Flat Sheet
Start by pulling your fitted sheet snugly over each corner of the mattress and smoothing out any wrinkles. Center the flat sheet over the bed, leaving enough fabric at the top to fold back over your quilt. If your sheet has a printed or finished side, place that side facing down so it shows when you fold the top edge back.
Tuck the flat sheet under the foot of the mattress. You can tuck the sides too for a crisp look, or leave them loose if you prefer a little more room for your feet!
I love our 400-thread-count cotton sheets and have been buying them for years. The corner elastic keeps the fitted sheet in place, and the top and bottom labels make it easy to get everything facing the right way.
For a split king bed like ours, each mattress needs its own twin XL fitted sheet. A king-size flat sheet, quilt and duvet can cover both sides.
Step 2: Layer on a Lightweight Quilt or Blanket
Spread a lightweight quilt or bed blanket over the flat sheet, keeping it centered so both sides hang evenly. Leave a little room near the head of the bed, then fold the top edge of the sheet back over the quilt for a neat, finished look.
This layer gives your bed a simple, cozy foundation. Choose a weight that feels comfortable to you in every season, especially if you plan to sleep under it during the warmer months.
I love my ivory pick-stitch quilt because its subtle texture adds interest without competing with the other bedding. We use it on its own in summer and layer it with our duvet when the weather turns colder.
Step 3: Add and Fold Your Duvet or Comforter
Lay your duvet or comforter over the quilt and center it on the bed. For the layered look shown here, fold it back toward the foot so it rests across the lower third of the bed. This lets the quilt show while adding a little fullness at the bottom.
If you prefer more coverage, pull the duvet higher and fold back just the top edge. You can adjust the look based on the season and how you like to sleep!
I use a down-alternative duvet insert with a steel blue linen duvet cover. The blue adds color to my neutral bedding, and a removable cover makes it easy to change the look without replacing the whole duvet. A comforter works for this step too. (I love how the blue picks up some of the color from the peacock art above the bed and how it grounds the bedding as well.)
My practical tip: Secure the cover's interior ties to the loops on your duvet insert before making the bed. It helps keep the insert from shifting and bunching inside the cover.
Step 4: Place a Throw Blanket at the Foot
Fold a throw blanket lengthwise and lay it across the foot of the bed, or drape it over one lower corner for a more relaxed look. I like letting some of the quilt or duvet show around it so you can see the different textures.
This layer is optional, but it's an easy way to add a little softness, pattern or seasonal color. You don't need another full-size quilt unless you want the extra warmth.
Because we live in Alabama and don't get very cold winters, I find a throw blanket works great! I use my favorite chunky knit throw for texture, and it's perfect for those afternoons when I want to curl up for a nap without unmaking the whole bed!
Keep size in mind: a throw may not reach across the entire bed, especially on a king. Draping it over one corner works beautifully when it's too short to span the foot.
Step 5: Arrange Euro Pillows Behind Your Shams
Stand your sleeping pillows against the headboard, then arrange your Euro pillows in front of them. These large square pillows add height and create a backdrop for the smaller pillows you'll place next.
For this look, I like three Euro pillows on a king bed and two on a queen or full bed. That's a starting point rather than a rule. Use fewer if you prefer a simpler arrangement or want more of your headboard to show.
Euro pillows are typically 26 inches square, but check the dimensions of your shams before buying inserts.
I chose ivory pick-stitch Euro shams (with my favorite inserts) that coordinate with my quilt base. Repeating the color and texture makes the layers feel connected, and our sleeping pillows tuck neatly behind them.
Step 6: Finish with a Decorative Pillow
Place two rectangular pillows in shams in front of the Euro pillows, then center one decorative pillow in front. A long lumbar pillow is my favorite finishing touch because it pulls the whole look together without adding several more pillows.
For a simpler version, skip the rectangular shams and place a lumbar pillow directly in front of the Euros. You can adjust the number of pillows to fit your bed and your everyday routine.
I used the two shams that came with my duvet cover, then added a long lumbar pillow for a little pattern. This front pillow is an easy piece to swap when you want a seasonal change.
I've since swapped the long lumbar pillow for a standard-size striped blue and green pillow that matches my new room decor, but if I had to choose, I still prefer the shape of a long lumbar pillow.
Happy Husband Tip: Before adding more pillows, decide where they'll go at night. A bench, basket or nearby chair gives them a home and makes putting the bed back together easier the next morning. (And it keeps my husband from complaining about all the pillows I use. Ha!)
Simple Changes for the Holidays
I used the same formula to decorate my bedroom for Christmas. I simply swapped the blue duvet cover for a plaid one, changed the pillow covers and added a new decorative pillow on top! The art got swapped out too!
You may have noticed we also got a bed frame since I took the original pictures. It's the best!
Frequently Asked Questions About Layering a Bed
Do you sleep under both the quilt and the duvet?
We sleep under both in winter but only the quilt in summer. When it's warm, we leave the duvet folded at the foot or take it off at bedtime. We don't sleep on top of the quilt; we simply adjust the layers to stay comfortable!
How do you keep the duvet insert from shifting inside the cover?
My duvet insert has corner loops, and my cover has ties inside. Tying them together helps keep everything in place. I didn't need to sew any on, but I would add ties and loops if they were missing.
Where do your sleeping pillows go?
We tuck them behind the Euro pillows during the day. At bedtime, we remove the decorative pillows and leave our sleeping pillows on the bed.
Where should you put decorative pillows at night?
A bench, chair or roomy basket makes a convenient spot. Choose somewhere out of your nighttime walking path. If storage is limited, simplify the arrangement with fewer pillows. We have a column near the bed, and the pillows stack perfectly between the column and the wall every night.
Is your duvet smaller than your bed?
No! Our king bed has a king-size duvet. Folding it at the foot creates the layered look.
Final Thoughts
Making a beautiful bed doesn't have to mean buying all-new bedding or adding a mountain of pillows. Start with what you have, smooth your layers and try folding your duvet at the foot for a more finished look. Then add the pillows and textures that feel right for your room.
Once everything has its place, making the bed each morning becomes so much easier. That little bit of effort makes our whole bedroom feel more welcoming!
Bedding Sources
Pick Stitch Quilt & Euro Shams
Our soft lightweight quilt (in ivory) is a perfect year-round bedding staple. It works beautifully on its own in summer and paired with a duvet cover in fall, winter and spring! You can also purchase the matching euro shams.
100% Cotton Sheet Set
You'll only find these 400-count performance sheets in my home! I love the coolness of cotton sheets, and these are high quality without a huge price tag. I especially love the deep corners with double elastic that keep them snug on the bed.
Linen Flax Duvet Cover
My solid steel blue linen and flax duvet cover is perfect for our southern winters. It keeps things fresh and cool, yet it's warm and toasty when we need a little extra warmth at night. It comes in lots of colors, so you can find one that works in your home.
All-Season Down Alternative Duvet
This budget-friendly down-alternative insert gives our duvet a soft, full look without feather fill. Choose the weight that suits your climate and how warm you like to sleep. Double up the insert if you want extra fluffiness.
Down Alternative Euro Sham Inserts
My favorite pillows also come in a 26″ x 26″ Euro insert size! They strike just the right balance of fullness and softness to make your shams look beautiful and feel comfortable. The down-alternative fill is also a great option if you prefer to avoid feathers.
Adjustable Bed & Mattress
We have luxury-firm split king mattresses with an adjustable base, and I'll sing their praises forever! Each side has its own controls, so we can adjust our sleeping positions independently. And because a split king is essentially two twin XL mattresses side by side, I barely feel any movement when my husband turns over. It's the best sleep I've had since we got married, and I can't recommend this setup enough!
Colossal Hand Knit Blanket
My beautiful chunky knit blanket comes in a range of colors. Its lovely texture is perfect for any bed or sofa!
Decorative Pillows
Lumbar pillows make a great decorative piece on a bed. They're the finishing touch, and you can bring in a variety of color, pattern and texture with one. Etsy is a great place to find one!
Other Bedroom Sources
Sea Glass Coast Art
This gorgeous canvas wall art is a favorite abstract painting reproduction from Lindsay Letters. I chose the gold frame in the 48″ x 16″ size.
DIY Peacock Art
This peacock art was made from some downloaded art and a roadside find! Check out the DIY project to learn how to make your own!
Four-Poster Bed
Get the look of a four-poster bed with this inexpensive wood bed frame. We have the king size and use our adjustable bed frames inside it instead of the boards it came with or box springs.
Area Rug
Our beige and charcoal area rug is inexpensive, yet it has the sophisticated design and muted colors that give a vintage look and feel. Give your home decor an elegant twist on a budget!
Woven Bamboo Shades
These Bamboo Blinds in Gold Beach are my favorite bamboo shades of all time! Yes, they're a little pricey, but I promise they're worth every single penny! I've installed these shades on 15 windows across two homes.
Ivory Linen Curtains
These beautiful, high-end cotton-linen blend curtains have a soft, luxurious drape. You can get them in light-filtering or blackout styles.
Wall Color
Our bedroom is currently painted Benjamin Moore Davenport Tan, a warm brown that creates such a cozy backdrop for our blue and ivory bedding!
In the older photos you'll see Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter. It's been one of my favorite neutrals for years. I loved it in our previous home and used it again when we moved here.
Brass Curtain Hardware
My exact curtain rod is no longer sold, but you can still get a matching curtain rod set along with the curtain rings and standard finials I used. The brass hardware feels elevated and luxurious.
2-Drawer Nightstands
Our nightstands were one of my favorite bedroom splurges! Their generous size feels just right beside our king-size bed and gives me plenty of room for larger lamps. I especially love the recessed tops, which help keep everything in place.
More Primary Bedroom Posts You'll Love:
- Traditional Bedroom Design Plan {Take 2}
- How Chinoiserie Lamps Changed My Primary Bedroom
- Trash to Treasure: Peacock Framed Art
- 7 Must-Have Nightstand Decor Ideas
- Our Primary Bedroom Window Treatments
- What Size Rug Do I Need for My Bedroom?
